Local Students Go to Washington!

Six local high school juniors represented Tipmont REMC on the 2008 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.  Students included John Burns from North Montgomery High School, Tyler King from Central Catholic High School, Morgan Fouty from Southmont High, and Michael Weesner, Ethan Chitty, and Kelsey Faulkner from McCutcheon High School.

This is the 48^th year that Indiana’s electric cooperatives have hosted the Youth Tour giving hundreds of young Hoosiers the opportunity to visit our nation’s capital to learn about government and electric cooperatives. The tour began June 12 with a statehouse tour and orientation program in Indianapolis and ended on June 19 back in the Hoosier capital.

The Indiana delegation was comprised of 74 students from throughout the state, each selected by a local cooperative. This year, nearly 1,500 students from across the country were in Washington for the four-day conference.

“Tipmont REMC is pleased to be able to provide this opportunity for our local students,” stated Ken Ritchey, Tipmont REMC General Manager.  “It’s a great trip and a wonderful chance to see the sights, make new friends and learn how everyone, including young people, can make a difference in the political process.”

On the way to Washington, students visited Gettysburg battlefield and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. While in the nation’s capital, the delegates visited such sights as Arlington National Cemetery; the Lincoln, Jefferson and Vietnam memorials; and had the opportunity to visit several of the museums the city has to offer. 

During the “Youth Tour Rally,” students learned from a character portrayal of U.S. Senator George W. Norris, enacted by Nebraska State Senator David Landis. Norris shepherded the legislation that led to the founding of electric cooperatives. Keynote speaker, four-time Olympic medalist in USA Men’s wheelchair basketball, Mike Schlappi, proved “…you don’t have to stand up to stand out.” The trip highlight was a visit to Capitol Hill where Indiana delegates were honored with visits from members of Indiana’s congressional contingent including U.S. Representatives Brad Ellsworth and Joe Donnelly. A representative from Congressman Steve Buyer’s staff also spoke to the students.

For more information about the 2008 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., contact Sasha Clements at 1-800-726-3953 or visit Indiana’s electric cooperative association website at www.indremcs.org.